MENSTRUAL DISTURBANCES IN CHRONIC RENAL-FAILURE

Twelve female patients undergoing intermittent hemodialysis (HD) and 5 females posttransplantation (PT) were studied. All the HD patients had menstrual disturbances and 5 had galactorrhea. The mean basal LH [luteinizing hormone] level was significantly elevated (P < .05) in patients on HD compared to normal controls, but the mean LH response to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH) was not significantly different from the control group. Mean basal FSH [follicle stimulating hormone] and the GSH response to LRH was normal. In the PT patients the LH response to LRH was significantly greater at 120 min when compared to normal females. In the HD group the serum 17.beta. estradiol, progesterone and testosterone levels were significantly lower than in the controls but in the PT group only testosterone levels were significantly lower. These results differ from those previously found in uremic males. Elevated prolactin levels were found in the patients on hemodialysis and correlated well with the presence of galactorrhea. There was no correlation between presence of galactorrhea. There was no correlation between the elevated prolactin levels and amenorrhea in the patients on hemodialysis but 1 PT patient with amenorrhea had elevated prolactin levels.